Elephant in the room

131, 5 Mun Mueang Rd, Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand
$$$ cafe
(36 Reviews)

Welcome to Elephant in the Room, an enchanting cafe located in the heart of Chiang Mai's bustling Si Phum district. Nestled within a uniquely shaped Brutalist shophouse, this quirky little coffee shop combines minimalism with a sustainable ethos, featuring upcycled materials and a thoughtful design that enhances your coffee experience.

The moment you step inside, you're greeted by a cozy atmosphere where clever signage and cheeky humor set the tone, allowing you to relax and enjoy your time. The cafe's vibe is a delightful blend of urban sophistication and a laid-back charm—an excellent space for chatting with friends or spending some quality time with a good book.

At Elephant in the Room, the focus is on crafting the perfect cup of coffee, and the reviews from satisfied customers speak volumes. For instance, Scott Lumley describes it as “a tidy blend of minimalism, upcycling, locally sourced materials,” praising the cafe for embodying the essence of “Chiang Mai Style.” With a diverse menu of expertly crafted beverages that includes rich black coffee with chocolate overtones, refreshing juices, and Instagram-worthy iced lattes, your taste buds are in for a treat.

Regular visitors like Emma Johns can’t get enough, calling it her “favourite coffee stop” during her time in Chiang Mai. Friendly and welcoming staff create a warm atmosphere that makes you feel right at home, a sentiment echoed by Lin Marvin, who extols the owner’s kindness alongside the delightful Elephant Special drink. You’ll find a space not just to grab a coffee, but to unwind completely.

The strong focus on community is evident as you savor your drink amidst local art and decor that captures the spirit of Chiang Mai. Whether you want to experience the buzz of people-watching, as Chris An suggests, or simply indulge in some excellent coffee while you work with reliable Wi-Fi, Elephant in the Room caters to every need.

In a city known for its vibrant culture and lush landscapes, finding a gem like this makes your visit to Chiang Mai even more enchanting. Whether you’re a local or a traveler, Elephant in the Room promises a unique and memorable coffee experience that you won't want to miss.

Service options
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Offerings
Coffee
Dining options
Breakfast
Dessert
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Groups
Tourists
Payments
NFC mobile payments
36 Reviews
Scott Lumley

09 Oct 2025

This quirky little coffee shop ticks all the boxes for the "Chiang Mai Style" A tidy blend of minimalism, upcycling, locally sourced materials and the clever use of available space... All wrapped in an oddly shaped Brutalist shophouse. What does that mean? A local coffee shop with vibes... And a chill spot to grab an excellent Cup of Joe...

Marcus Ronaldi

24 Sep 2025

Elephant in the Room Cafe in Chiang Mai is a truly unique and memorable spot that instantly captures your attention with its distinctive vibe and cheeky humor (just check out the witty signage about decaf coffee!). The cafe serves a wide range of beverages—I enjoyed their expertly crafted coffee and was equally impressed by their refreshing juices. It's an ideal space to unwind, surrounded by charming decor and warm hospitality. During my visit, I couldn't help but be reminded of some classic TV moments. The playful ambiance felt akin to Michael Scott's iconic "Prison Mike" speech from The Office—quirky, unexpected, and leaving you smiling at the sheer absurdity of it all. The cafe also brought to mind Fred Armisen's hilarious guest spot on Parks and Recreation as the dictator of a fictional South American country, casually threatening "right to jail" for even minor infractions—thankfully, Elephant in the Room takes their rules with a touch more humor! Whether you're a pop culture fan or just someone seeking a standout cafe experience in Chiang Mai, this place offers it all with charm, flavor, and a dose of laughter. Highly recommended!

Emma Johns

28 Aug 2025

Amazing Coffee! My favourite coffee stop in Chiang Mai, Came every day I was here, the people who work here are lovely!

Lin Marvin

15 Aug 2025

Nice place to chill out. Owner is very nice. Drink is also good. I order elephant special.

Florence Yi

04 Aug 2025

My fav cafe in Chiangmai is closed?? Or moved to other places? Anyone has an idea?

John Costello

20 Jul 2025

Great little Coffee Shop, beautiful rich black coffee with chocolate overtones, very rustic right in the middle of Chiang Mai. The stage is super friendly Wi-Fi available 50 bar for a cup of beautiful black coffee, just my little spot in the world. Thank you very much

chris an

13 Jul 2025

Excellent piccolo coffee. Iced latte was good too. Nice place to people watch. Friendly staff

M K

08 Jul 2025

Excellent coffee and a very friendly staff. In case of choosing thai iced coffee they ask about the level of sweeteness which is great and not so obvious.

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